The American Airlines credit card that works best depends on how often you fly and what you spend on
American Airlines offers several co-branded credit cards through Citi and Barclays, each with different rewards rates, annual fees, and sign-up bonuses. The card that makes sense for you depends on whether you fly American regularly, how much you spend each month, and whether the annual fee pays for itself through the benefits included.
If you fly American several times a year and spend heavily on travel, a premium card with a higher annual fee might return more value than a no-annual-fee card. If you fly American once a year or less, a basic card or a general travel card from another issuer might be the better choice. The comparison below covers the main cards currently available, what each one costs, and who they suit best.
Key Takeaways
- American Airlines credit cards come in basic versions with no annual fee and premium versions with annual fees ranging from $99 to $450, each offering different rewards and perks.
- Sign-up bonuses typically range from 30,000 to 75,000 American Airlines miles, but the bonus value depends on how you redeem miles and whether you can meet the spending requirement.
- Premium cards include benefits like checked baggage waivers, priority boarding, and annual miles bonuses that can offset the annual fee if you fly American at least a few times per year.
- The rewards rate on purchases outside of flying (groceries, gas, dining) varies by card, so comparing the earning rate to cards from other issuers matters if you don't fly American exclusively.
- Your credit score, annual spending, and travel frequency should guide which card to consider; a card with a high annual fee is only worth it if you use the included benefits.
American Airlines cards without an annual fee
Citi offers the Citi American Airlines Card with no annual fee. This card earns 1 American Airlines mile per dollar spent on all purchases, with a higher earning rate (2 miles per dollar) on American Airlines purchases. The sign-up bonus is typically 30,000 miles after you spend $500 in the first three months.
This card makes sense if you fly American occasionally but do not want to pay an annual fee. You keep all the miles you earn without a fee eating into the value. The trade-off is that you do not get perks like checked baggage waivers or priority boarding, and the sign-up bonus is smaller than premium cards offer. If you fly American once or twice a year and spend moderately, this card covers the basics without cost.
Premium American Airlines cards and what they include
Citi and Barclays each offer premium American Airlines cards with annual fees. The Citi American Airlines Executive Card costs $450 per year and includes a $200 annual incidental credit (which covers baggage fees, seat upgrades, and some other travel costs), priority boarding, checked baggage waiver, and 50,000 American Airlines miles as a sign-up bonus. The Barclays American Airlines AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard costs $99 per year and includes a checked baggage waiver, priority boarding, and a 50,000-mile sign-up bonus.
The $450 card is built for frequent American Airlines flyers who value premium cabin access and can use the $200 incidental credit each year. If you fly American at least four or five times per year and book premium cabins, the credit and perks can offset the fee. The $99 card is aimed at people who fly American a few times per year and want basic perks without the high cost. Both cards earn 2 miles per dollar on American Airlines purchases and 1 mile per dollar on other purchases.
How sign-up bonuses work and what they are worth
American Airlines credit card sign-up bonuses range from 30,000 to 75,000 miles depending on the card and current offers. To receive the bonus, you must spend a set amount (usually $500 to $5,000) within a set timeframe (usually three months). The bonus is credited to your account once the spending requirement is met.
The dollar value of miles varies. American Airlines miles are typically worth between 0.5 and 1.5 cents each when redeemed for flights, depending on the route and how far in advance you book. A 50,000-mile bonus could be worth $250 to $750 in flight value, but only if you redeem the miles for flights you would otherwise buy. If the bonus miles sit unused or if you redeem them for low-value flights, the bonus is worth less. Before opening a card, check whether you can realistically spend the required amount and whether you have flights booked or planned that you can pay for with the miles.
Comparing rewards rates on everyday spending
American Airlines cards earn miles on all purchases, but the rate outside of American Airlines bookings varies. Most American Airlines cards earn 1 mile per dollar on non-airline purchases. Some premium cards earn higher rates on specific categories like dining or gas, but American Airlines cards do not typically offer category bonuses the way cards from Chase or American Express do.
If you spend heavily on groceries, gas, or dining and want to maximize rewards, a general travel card or a cash-back card from another issuer might earn more value than an American Airlines card. For example, a card that earns 3% cash back on dining would return more value on restaurant spending than an American Airlines card earning 1 mile per dollar. Compare the earning rate to your actual spending before choosing based on rewards alone. If you fly American frequently and want to accumulate miles fast, the American Airlines card makes sense. If you fly American rarely, a general travel card might be the better fit.
Perks that come with premium cards
Premium American Airlines cards include benefits beyond miles and bonuses. The most common are checked baggage waivers (you do not pay the $35 to $45 fee for your first checked bag), priority boarding (you board before general boarding), and annual miles bonuses (some cards add 10,000 or 25,000 miles each year on your card anniversary).
The $450 Citi Executive Card also includes a $200 annual incidental credit that covers baggage fees, seat upgrades, and some other travel expenses. If you fly American at least four times per year and check a bag each time, the baggage waiver alone saves you $140 to $180 per year. Add the annual miles bonus and the incidental credit, and the card can pay for itself. However, if you fly American once or twice per year, these perks have little value, and the annual fee is money spent on benefits you do not use.
How to decide which card is right for you
Start with how often you fly American Airlines per year. If you fly American fewer than two times per year, a no-annual-fee card or a general travel card from another issuer is likely the better choice. If you fly American two to four times per year, the $99 Barclays card might make sense if you value the checked baggage waiver and priority boarding. If you fly American five or more times per year and book premium cabins, the $450 Citi card could return value through the incidental credit and perks.
Next, consider your annual spending. If you spend $20,000 or more per year on the card and most of that is on American Airlines purchases, a premium card with higher earning rates and perks makes sense. If you spend less than $10,000 per year or if most of your spending is outside of American Airlines, a no-annual-fee card or a card from another issuer is the smarter choice. Finally, check your credit score. American Airlines cards typically require a good to excellent credit score (usually 670 or higher). If your score is lower, you may not be approved, or you may receive a higher interest rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use American Airlines miles on other airlines?
American Airlines miles can be transferred to partner airlines through the AAdvantage program, but the transfer rate is typically 1:1 and some partners charge transfer fees. Most people redeem miles directly for American Airlines flights. Check the AAdvantage website for the current list of transfer partners before opening a card if transferring miles is important to you.
What happens to my miles if I close the card?
Your miles stay in your AAdvantage account even after you close the card. However, if your AAdvantage account has no activity (no flights, no miles earned, no card spending) for 24 months, the account and miles may be forfeited. Keep the account active by flying American or using a different American Airlines card if you plan to close your current card.
Do I have to use the annual incidental credit on the $450 card?
The $200 incidental credit on the Citi Executive Card is not automatic. You must charge may be able to access expenses (baggage fees, seat upgrades, etc.) to the card, and the credit is applied to your statement. If you do not fly American or do not incur may be able to access expenses, the credit goes unused and the annual fee is a net cost.
How long does it take to earn enough miles for a free flight?
The number of miles needed for a free flight varies by route and how far in advance you book. Domestic flights typically require 25,000 to 50,000 miles, while international flights require 50,000 to 150,000 miles or more. If you fly American once per year and earn 1 mile per dollar spent, you would accumulate miles slowly unless you spend heavily on the card or receive a sign-up bonus.
What is the difference between the Citi and Barclays American Airlines cards?
Citi offers the no-annual-fee card and the $450 Executive Card. Barclays offers the $99 Aviator Red card. The main differences are the annual fee, the sign-up bonus amount, and the perks included. Compare the current offers on each issuer's website, as sign-up bonuses and benefits change throughout the year.